REF supports Potter research

Professor Rob Potter has received six months of funding through the IU Research Equipment Fund for his study, “Visual Attention and Emotional Facial Expression During Media Consumption on Mobile Devices.”

Potter, who also is director of the school’s Institute for Communication Research said the study focuses on the cognitive and emotional implications that may result from downward-tilted spinal posture during message consumption and mobile device use.

Medical professionals have brought to light the issue of “tech neck,” the strain on neck muscles and upper spinal vertebrae during this use, but there is no published research addressing the impact the posture has on psychological and cognitive impact of media messages delivered via mobile devices. Potter will explore this impact in his study.

The fund is administered by the IU Office of the Vice Provost for Research.